National University (NU) vs Cornell

National University and Cornell University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, stand apart in their unique offerings and student experiences. National University, a private, non-profit university, boasts an open admissions policy, welcoming students from all backgrounds. In contrast, Cornell University, an Ivy League institution, maintains a highly selective admissions process, resulting in a lower acceptance rate. While both universities offer a diverse range of academic programs, National University is renowned for its flexible learning options, including online and evening classes, catering to working professionals and non-traditional students. Cornell University, on the other hand, is known for its rigorous academic standards and world-class research facilities, attracting students seeking a traditional residential college experience. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover further distinctions between these two exceptional universities and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Cornell University logo

Cornell University

National University logo

National University

Overview

Location Ithaca, New York La Jolla, California
Campus setting City: Small City: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Non Traditional
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 97.0% 100.0%
Common app member Yes No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 8.7% 54.5%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $80

Graduate: $105
SAT range 1450 - 1560 N/A
ACT range 33 - 35 N/A
Students submitting SAT score 41.0%
Students submitting ACT score 20.0%
Total number of applicants 67,380 154
Total number of admissions given out 5,852 84
Admitted students who chose to enroll 3,718 38
Yield rate 63.5% 45.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Not required Required
Recommendation letters Required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $80,287 $36,459
Average net price $24,262 $9,966
Tuition $60,286 $13,320
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $9,962

Meal plan: $6,434
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

50.0%
Average amount $52,674
100.0%
Average amount $8,610
Students receiving federal student loan 26.0%
Average amount $3,924
Students taking out private loans 16.0%
Average amount $8,357

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 15,503
Men 46.1% Women 53.9%
7,648
Men 47.1% Women 52.9%
Graduate students 10,079
Men 51.0% Women 49.0%
9,487
Men 28.7% Women 71.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Moderate
Out-of-state students 64.3% N/A
International students 24.4% 0.6%
Campus local/setting City: Small City: Large
Dormitory capacity 7,422 N/A
First year students are required to live on campus? No N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from New York California New Jersey Florida Pennsylvania N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Agriculture
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Legal Profession
  • Education
  • Health Professions
  • Psychology
  • Business
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
Students to faculty ratio 9:1 16:1
Institutional accreditation Middle States Commission on Higher Education Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 94.1% 46.7%
Dropout rate 5.2% N/A
Transferred out N/A 43.3%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $185,154
  • Year 2: $172,867
  • Year 3: $207,272
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $150,786
  • Year 2: $145,332
  • Year 3: $167,695
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $127,764
  • Year 2: $122,485
  • Year 3: $158,076
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $147,241
  • Year 2: $127,397
  • Year 3: $155,653
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $114,311
  • Year 2: $111,926
  • Year 3: $126,082
Operations Research (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $101,067
  • Year 2: $109,763
  • Year 3: $124,590
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $88,459
  • Year 2: $92,277
  • Year 3: $109,597
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $105,672
  • Year 2: $97,071
  • Year 3: $109,553
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $95,847
  • Year 2: $94,408
  • Year 3: $107,658
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $101,072
  • Year 3: $106,693
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $94,452
  • Year 2: $81,333
  • Year 3: $97,514
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $77,429
  • Year 2: $84,653
  • Year 3: $94,326
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $85,563
  • Year 2: $84,367
  • Year 3: $90,127
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $84,898
  • Year 2: $83,505
  • Year 3: $87,794
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $80,729
  • Year 2: $71,575
  • Year 3: $82,008
Educational/Instructional Media Design (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $71,709
  • Year 2: $66,821
  • Year 3: $81,966
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,545
  • Year 2: $75,989
  • Year 3: $77,049
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,576
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $76,724
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,716
  • Year 2: $65,238
  • Year 3: $74,055
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,949
  • Year 2: $65,657
  • Year 3: $73,109

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